2020 Madrid > Lisbon

13 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Madrid

Welcome to the sun-kissed capital of Spain, Madrid. Travellers from around the world have been left captivated by this fascinating city, where energy bounces through the streets like lightning.
You will be transferred from the airport to your centrally located hotel, included is a two-night stay in Madrid.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 - Madrid

Today, you can enjoy an informative tour of Madrid’s city centre and experience the lifestyles of the people who call the city their home.
Enjoy visiting Sabatini Gardens, Plaza Mayor and the Austrian quarter, Gran Via. The rest of the day is yours to spend exploring in leisure, perhaps relaxing in one of Madrid’s postcard-worthy terraced gardens.EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Madrid

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Madrid - Porto

Today, you will be transferred from your centrally located hotel in Madrid to Porto, where you will be welcomed on board your luxurious Emerald Waterways Star-Ship.EmeraldPLUS: Cruising Through Porto Enchanting Waters

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - Porto – Pinhão

Relax on board today and enjoy a full day of sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley. This fascinating area was inscribed because it hones in on two millennia of wine producing history, where viticulture has shaped the surrounding landscape and small, sleepy villages are peppered with dozens of sun-drenched vineyards. Tonight, your captain will host a welcome dinner and cocktail reception.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Pinhão – Vega de Terrón

Begin your day with a visit to the beautiful Quinta do Tedo vineyard in the heart of Portugal’s Douro Valley, nestled on the confluence of the Douro and Tedo rivers. This 18th-century estate is environmentally sound, creating organic produce by using traditional viticulture methods.
Alternatively, enjoy a guided walk through local vineyards, stopping along the way to admire your surroundings.
This afternoon, enjoy sailing to Vega de Terrón, perhaps relaxing on the Sun Deck before your included Port wine cocktail demonstration or cooking demonstration on board.EmeraldPLUS: A Port wine cocktail lesson on boardEmeraldPLUS: A Portuguese cooking demonstration on boardEmeraldACTIVE: A guided walk through the vineyardsEmeraldEXCURSION: A visit to Quinta do Tedo with tasting

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Vega de Terrón – Salamanca

Founded in Roman times, the ancient city of Salamanca and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed old quarter have an illustrious past, having been held by the Carthaginians, Romans and Moors.
Travel to the beautiful golden city for a walking tour, starting among the postcard-worthy galleries and arcades that adorn Plaza Mayor. You will have the opportunity to see Casa de las Conchas, a building that has been lovingly decorated with more than 300 shells.EmeraldPLUS: Enjoy local entertainment from a tuna music bandEmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Salamanca

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 - Pocinho – Régua

This morning, arrive in Pocinho where you’ll have the opportunity to embark on a canoeing excursion or to visit the Côa Valley Museum. Later, return to your ship for lunch and soak up your idyllic surrounds as you sail towards Régua, taking part in a casa painova tasting on board. A rural dinner at a wine estate is certain to be a highlight of your trip.EmeraldPLUS: A Casa Painova product tasting on boardEmeraldPLUS: A rural dinner with entertainment at Quinta da PachecaEmeraldACTIVE: A canoeing excursionEmeraldEXCURSION: A visit to the Côa Valley Museum

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Régua

Today, on an included excursion, you will visit the marvellous Baroque village of Lamego, stopping to see the picturesque Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, a structure that stands gracefully over the townEmeraldPLUS: A mosaic tile painting lesson on boardEmeraldACTIVE: Walk down the steps of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of RemediesEmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of LamegoDiscoverMORE: A visit to Mateus Manor House with wine tasting (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - Porto

Located at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto is a fascinating eclectic mix of modern and ancient architecture. Famous for its exports of Port wines, it’s easy to imagine how British merchant ships would have once clustered together in the medieval harbour, waiting to take Port wines across the water.
Your included tour of the coastal city will touch on the fortified structures of Castelo da Foz and Castelo do Queijo, a building whose pentagonal façades overlook the ocean.EmeraldACTIVE: A guided active walk in PortoEmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of PortoDiscoverMORE: An excursion to Guimarães (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - Porto - Lisbon

After breakfast, disembark your Star-Ship and soak in your picturesque surroundings as we travel along the Atlantic coast. When you arrive in Lisbon, a three-night stay in a centrally located hotel will be yours to enjoy.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 - Lisbon

Today, join your local guide for a walking tour of Lisbon’s historic city centre, where a peaceful atmosphere can be found among tree-lined boulevards.
Enjoy a visit to Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and one of the most prominent examples of late Gothic Manueline architecture in Portugal.EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Lisbon

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12 - Lisbon

Lisbon is yours to explore at leisure today, perhaps indulging in some traditional cuisine or entering one of its many charming boutiques and museums. Your tour director will be available to help you plan your day of independent exploration.DiscoverMORE: Excursion to Sintra

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 13 - Lisbon

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow guests and be transferred to the airport for your onward or homebound flight, taking memories of sun-kissed Spanish streets and prehistoric carvings with you.